Latrell Mitchell overcame his comeback with a note as the Rabbitohs sealed a wide 30-12 victory over the Eels.
It took Mitchell a while to find his feet with Cooper Cronk saying in the half that “he was warming up the contest,” but the superstar defense came to life as the game progressed.
Fifth-eighth star Cody Walker’s fingertips were all over the first try, while rookie Isaiah Tass made a huge play to prepare for the second.
The Eels came back through pattern Clint Gutherson, who got a double, but everything was red and green from then on while the Bunnies piled up a few more attempts.
Not everything was joy for the Rabbitoh. Hame Sele left the field in the first half with a leg injury, while Mark Nicholls missed his HIA.
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Why Latrell retired from Origin III | 00:57
GREAT SUCCESSES
LATRELL GETS GREAT TICK IN THE RETURN GAME
The Rabbitohs superstar winger made his long-awaited return from a hamstring injury he suffered in round 5.
Although he did not ignite the world, Greg Alexander believes Mitchell may have had an impact on his team’s attack.
“I don’t know if it’s a coincidence that Latrell is back on that side, but the Souths’ execution and their work on the edges has improved without being seen, ”he said.
“It has been part of South Sydney’s criticism this year: its execution and passing game, even Cody Walker’s passing game has not been what we expect from the Souths. But tonight they are underway.”
Cooper Cronk told the half that Mitchell was “warming up for the contest” and acknowledged how he got a line-breaking assist with each of his two runs in the first half.
“That’s what he can do. He’s able to set up his outside men. The more times he and Cody Walker are next to each other, the more threatening the left side looks,” Cronk said.
Meanwhile, Mitchell’s former Rabbitohs teammate Benji Marshall was able to see the difference Mitchell made.
“I love what he has done. Especially with the ball, his passing game, he doesn’t like that he has lost a rhythm,” he said.
“He’s done some really good things and in attack you can only notice the class leading to the side.”
Mitchell started to find his feet in the second half and finished the game with 119 running yards, one try assist, four line break assists, two tackles and two discharges.
“Latrell brings class,” Marshall said full time.
JOHNSTON “SCORE TRYING TO HAVE FUN”
Alex Johnston brought his rehearsal score to 152 with a double in the first half to tie Manu Vatuvei at 13th on the all-time list.
He centered for a relatively easy corner for his first, but caught an interception by Mitch Moses and ran 50 yards to score the second.
Johnston told the Fox League halfway through that he was “lucky to be in the right position,” but Benji Marshall and Cooper Cronk gave him the credit he deserved.
“As an end you have to put yourself in the position of scoring tries … it was a bad pass from Mitchell Moses, but you make your own luck in the rugby league,” Marshall said.
“Alex Johnston, one of the best test scorers of all time, the best in South Sydney, scores rehearsals for fun.
“He just has a very good conscience,” Cronk added.
“Some ends go straight for the man, some go for the ball … But Alex Johnston with speed has the ability to do both when he finishes and takes interceptions.”
Johnston finished the game with 250 meters running, two fouls and two line breaks to end his two tries.
THE EELS ‘DISAPPOINT’ FALL FLAT
The Eels looked a long way from a top-tier heavyweight against the Rabbitohs and Shane Flanagan put the torch on his star trio of Mitchell Moses, Dylan Brown and Clint Gutherson.
“I think their forwards have put a lot of effort into these conditions, all their means have run hard and they have gained a few meters,” he said.
“But I just feel like his breakers, his two sides and the winger, haven’t made big plays and that’s reflected on the scoreboard.”
“They were so good (on Rd 15), the week before against the Bulldogs they put up 30 points and tonight with a couple of minutes to the end (they have been) very disappointing.”
Meanwhile, Greg Alexander said the Rabbitoh’s game plan exceeded that of the Eels.
“The extremes haven’t really done the job that the men of South Sydney have done, but you’re right, it’s been Moses, Brown and their edges who haven’t seen the quality ball they should have done,” he said in response and Flanagan.
“And South Sydney’s game plan, we just saw it again, landing the ball inside the 10-meter zone and forcing the Eels to take it out and throw it from inside their 40s. Territorially Souths have killed the Eels “.
EQUIPMENT
Rabbitohs: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 19. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Elias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 17. Hame Sele 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow Cameron Murray 10. Mark Nicholls 14. Code Nikorima 15. Thomas Burgess 16. Silver Havill. Substitute player: 3. Tane Milne
Eels: 1. Clinton Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. William Penini 4. Waqa Blake 5. Bailey Simonsson 6. Dylan Brown 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paul 11. Shaun Lane 12. Isaiah Papali ‘i 15. Martha Niukore 14. Makahesi Makatoa 16. Oregon Coffee 17. Ky Rodwell 18. Tom Opacic. Substitute player: 19. Jacob Arthur
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